With an apology to the true winter sufferers in the New England area, it’s been a long hard winter here in DC. Below freezing temps since the new year prevented any real weekend rides. The roads were perpetually salted. And the grey was enough to kill the brightest spirit. Many of us were fighting cabin fever to a breaking point.
Winter’s last punch in the gut, hit us on Thursday and the lack of above freezing temps leading up to the event, made us think we were going to be iced in. A last minute warm up on Saturday morning gave us a bit of a reprieve.
Clay and his band of rebel-rousers decided to set up a open SWAP MEET amongst the alleys of Union Market. A chance to meet up, look at bikes, and possibly find some used parts and vintage Easy Rider magazines. The Street Spirit Cycle SWAP MEET had arrived.
A little shoveling to get the bike out of my alley and a cautious ride on DC roads put me in the midst of a glimpse of spring rides to come. A great crowd of enthusiasts, and some great bikes to look at, made for an awesome afternoon.
As the sales tables closed down, we rode to Bardo to attempt the first of many outdoor bike meetups. Never mind the slush, the beer was cold and the company was grand. The potential of warmer weekends has future collaborations with DC Triumph, Two for the Soul and Street Spirit Cycles.
